HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2408

BYRepresentatives Jones, Vekich, Smith, R. Meyers, Hargrove, Zellinsky, S. Wilson, G. Fisher, Ballard, Basich, Schmidt, Peery, Sayan, Haugen, Braddock, Jacobsen, R. King, Wolfe, Pruitt, H. Myers and May

Requiring an assessment of higher education needs of placebound students.

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bennett, Doty, Fraser, Heavey, Jesernig, Miller, Prince, Rector and Wood.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION JANUARY 24, 1990

BACKGROUND:

By law, the Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed to prepare a comprehensive master plan that includes assessments of the state's higher education needs.  The assessments may include the needs of recent high school graduates and placebound adults in all geographic regions.  However, the board was directed to place its initial priorities on the needs of residents in heavily populated areas underserved by public institutions.

The board conducted assessments of the need for additional upper-division and graduate programs in the state's large urban centers.  The board has assigned to various universities the responsibility for serving those urban centers, in some cases through branch campuses.

The 1989 session of the Legislature approved legislation that directed the board to conduct an assessment of the educational needs of placebound students living in areas of the state not addressed by the branch campus initiative.  An assessment of the needs of the citizens of Jefferson and Clallam counties was included.  The board was directed to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the House and Senate Higher Education Committees by September 1, 1990.

The Governor vetoed the required assessment and report.  His veto message stated that the legislation reenacts the law requiring the board to perform educational needs assessments.  It also stated that "It (the board) can now begin assessing the needs of place-bound students in those areas that are less populated, including Clallam and Jefferson counties."

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL: The Higher Education Coordinating Board will conduct an assessment of the upper-division and graduate level courses and programs needed by placebound students living in areas of the state not addressed by the branch campus initiative.  The board will consult local community colleges on the assessments, and will consider alternatives for delivery of the upper- division and graduate level program and courses.  The board will report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the House and Senate Higher Education Committees by September 1, 1992.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL: Specific mention of assessments in Clallam and Jefferson counties is removed.  The board will consult local community colleges on the assessments.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 17, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Rep. Evan Jones, sponsor; Ann Daley, Higher Education Coordinating Board.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Original bill): The board is willing to begin these assessments, but will need some financial assistance to do so.

(Substitute bill) Some areas of the state will be well served by branch campuses.  However, rural areas and small communities will not benefit from this method of expanding higher education. People in these less populated communities need access to upper-division courses and programs.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board should begin to assess the needs of these communities, in cooperation with local community colleges.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.